Blaenavon is gearing up for the annual World Heritage Weekend, which takes place on 25^th and 26^th June 2011. A weekend of fun and activities for all of the family to enjoy.

Visit Blaenavon Heritage Town on Saturday 25^th June for World Heritage Day, a fun filled day of live music, street entertainers, a Victorian Funfair, craft stalls and refreshments. The day’s festivities will officially be opened by the Town Crier at 11:30am in Market Square.

The highlight of the day is the Heritage Costume Parade which starts at Broad Street car park at 1:30pm and parades through the town centre. With fantastic costumes, dancers, brass bands and samba drumming, the parade is a spectacle that is enjoyed by everyone, year after year. The theme of this year’s parade is ‘Blaenavon Education Past and Present’. It was chosen to mark the closure of Hillside Nursery, Hillside School and St Peter’s School and to look forward to the future with the development of Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary.

During the day, children can enjoy the Victorian funfair including carousel, as well as trampolines, Punch and Judy Show, Franko the Clown, face painting and a variety of other fun activities. There will be street entertainers and dancers, Goldini the Balloon artists and live music throughout the day. Take time to visit the craft stalls and shops in the town, as well as enjoying a choice of refreshments including donuts, crepes and ice cream, before the festivities end at 5:00pm.

Following on from the festivities in the town centre, enjoy a day in the countryside on Sunday 26^th June at the Garn Lakes Country Fayre, which is open from 10:30am until 5:00pm. Activities this year include kayaking on the lake, fishing, a bouldering wall, archery, arts and crafts. Younger children can enjoy the story-telling, face-painting, trampolines and bouncy castle.

The ever popular craft marquee will be filled with various craft stalls selling jewellery, art, textiles, wood-turned items, cheese and chutneys. Refreshments will be available throughout the day, including a hog roast, crepes and ice-cream.

The now, well established, dog show will start at midday, with fun classes for dogs of all shapes and sizes including fancy dress. Sponsored by Trophy Pet Foods Welsh Valleys, there will be rosettes and prizes for all winners, with a treat for every dog who enters. Entry to each class is only £1.

Make sure your day includes a visit to the Blaenavon Steam Railway, who will be running trains throughout the day, with a special offer of 2 for 1 on all tickets.

Take a ride on the FREE vintage bus which will be operating all day long. It will circulate visitors around the World Heritage Site, with stops at the Blaenavon Steam Railway, Blaenavon Ironworks, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre and Blaenavon Heritage Town. Entry to the Fayre is FREE to all visitors. Cars will be charged £2 to park.

For further information on the World Heritage Weekend, telephone the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre on (01495) 742333, or download the programmes -

World Heritage Day 2011|

Garn Lakes County Fayre 201|1